Even at the young age of 26, Hunter Renfrow has established himself as a veteran leader of the Silver and Black. During the early stages of OTAs, it can be seen clearly on the field.
The Pro Bowler, going into his fourth season as a Raider, has been seen leading the way with Davante Adams on receiver drills – setting the tone for the room and visibly lending advice and expertise to his younger teammates. From the outside looking in, Renfrow is embodying a true leader of this team, as he's currently the longest tenured Raiders receiver on the roster.
Yet in the mind of Renfrow, he's no more special than anyone else among the receiving corps. And he hasn't even taken the time to evaluate his status as a leader of the team as slot receiver has one main focus.
"We're so deep into installing an offense, that I really haven't though about that a single time," Renfrow said Thursday.
There's great reason why Renfrow should be this deep in learning the new offense. Even with Adams and Darren Waller lined up beside him, Renfrow will still be heavily relied on. Josh McDaniels' offenses in the past have been notorious for getting the most out of the slot receiver position.
In McDaniels' time in New England, the undrafted Wes Welker became a two-time All-Pro selection under his direction. Seventh-round pick Julian Edelman became the first receiver in a decade to be named Super Bowl MVP. And last season, Patriots slot receiver Jakobi Meyers totaled nearly 900 receiving yards.
So what is it that makes slot receivers excel in McDaniels' system?
"Well one, they're really good players," answered Renfrow. "I think Coach McDaniels is just very good at teaching the details of it. And those guys did a good job. It's a lot of work, he puts a lot on them but I think it can be rewarding if you buy into what he has to say. And he's had some good receivers in the past so some of it is being where you need to be and being consistent."
The Raiders are looking to further capitalize on the production the 2019 fifth-round pick provided last year – leading the team in receiving yards, touchdown grabs and receptions. Yet after all he accomplished during his breakout 2021 season, the new staff sees even more potential.
"A very talented player. I've been asked about him in the past and he's just he's a gritty guy, knows how to get open, knows how to win on third down, has some return experience, is good after the catch," General Manager Dave Ziegler said about Renfrow in April. "So, yes, Hunter is a good football player and has a good a lot of good elements that allow him to be successful on Sundays, which is important. And he's a young player.
"We love good receivers and, you know, he's one of them."
View the best photos from the fifth day of the Las Vegas Raiders' OTAs at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jarrett Stidham (3) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Chase Garbers (15) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) and running back Brandon Bolden (34) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (89) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (60) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Bamidele Olaseni (79) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor (72) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kyle Peko (92) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99), wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) and tackle Jackson Barton (78) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders safety Bryce Cosby (44) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor (72) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) and safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) and safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu (65) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyree Gillespie (37) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders assistant offensive line coach Cameron Clemmons and guard Dylan Parham (66) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jayon Brown (50) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35), running back Brandon Bolden (34) and wide receiver Justin Hall (12) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Micah Kiser (43) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Anthony Averett (29) and linebacker Kenny Young (53) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jordan Veasy (18) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jordan Veasy (18) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Nick Bowers (82) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) and tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Bars (64) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc (31) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Zach VanValkenburg (54) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (34) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders guard/tackle Alex Leatherwood (70) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyron Johnson (84) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyree Gillespie (37) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders players at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (48) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) and safety Johnathan Abram (24) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Darien Butler (58) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
A Las Vegas Raiders helmet at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Anthony Averett (29) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (34) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (48) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tashawn Bower (96) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (48) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Anthony Averett (29) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Chase Garbers (15) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) and Head Coach Josh McDaniels at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
Las Vegas Raiders players at an Organized Team Activity (OTA).
